Saturday, July 25, 2009

Here is one of the better known versions of Summertime. It's by Big Brother & the Holding Company, which, fairly or unfairly, was seen as little more than a backing band for Janis Joplin. Recorded live at the famous Winterland Theater in San Francisco in April of 1968, the rendition showcases the famously unrestrained band in glorious restraint. The original middle eastern inflected dueling-guitar work arrangement of Peter Albin and Sam Andrew provides the central hook in the song. Janis is sublime in her tasteful performance, allowing -- too rarely for this listener -- the intrinsic beauty of her gravely voice to carry the load. Click here to here Big Brother's unique take on Summertime.